The remnants of lanterns hanging from trees were mistaken this week for nooses, prompting a social media frenzy at the University of Delaware and a police investigation of a possible hate crime, the campus police chief said Wednesday.
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The nooses were believed to have been placed between dusk and 10 p.m. outside Mitchell Hall, university police said on Facebook.
Acting University president Nancy Targett released a statement condemning the what was was thought to be a hate crime as a “cowardly and reprehensible” designed to intimidate and frighten, and calling “unacceptable”.
“This hateful display stands in stark contrast to Monday night’s peaceful protest and discussion”. “The safety and inclusiveness of our campus are our top priorities, and we will always act quickly and decisively to respond to concerns of our community”.
The university’s racial make-up has come under scrutiny of late. It does not define who we are at the University of Delaware. The faculty also lags in terms of diversity.
“This is a despicable act of hatred and it’s been perpetrated by what we think are one or a few individuals”, she said.
“Every single day here, as a female African-American student, to be on the campus at a predominantly white campus feels like you’re suffocating every single day”, Wilson said. “I can’t even put into words how that made me feel”.
Targett meantime says at the same time, the sensitivity of the Campus to this issue clearly indicates a need for continuing dialog with the community; she encourages everyone to attend a campus-wide gathering to address the issue at 4:30 this (Wednesday) afternoon on The Green.
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According to The News Journal, the university initially claimed the event was held in September, but later stated it was from an alumni event in June.
